10 Tips to Keep Your Cat's Brain Forever Young

Cats are living longer than ever before — it’s not unusual for felines to reach their mid-to-late teens or even early twenties. A longer lifespan, however, can leave felines frazzled if their once-spry brains aren’t properly stimulated. In fact, cats over the age of 15 can develop
feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD), a cat version of Alzheimer’s disease in which a starchlike, waxy protein (beta amyloid) collects in the brain.

Feline Cognitive Dysfunction

The symptoms of FCD can frustrate owners because they often mimic other behavior problems. In addition to acting disoriented, cats with the condition may cry and pace, get lost in the house or even stuck in corners. They can also act scared and have trouble sleeping. Most felines with FCD develop hit-or-miss
litterbox tendencies — yuck! — and even when they do find the box, they may not know what to do with it. Perhaps most heartbreaking: Some senile kitties tend to shun petting, ignore people and other companion animals, and stop recognizing a beloved owner.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for FCD, but your vet may prescribe medication that may help. But even with treatment, afflicted cats can develop senility behavior signs again, which is why it's important to focus on feline brain health long before FCD has a chance to strike. Brain function studies in
dogs proved that problem-solving activities kept canines sharp, connected to the world around them and even extended their lifespan. The old saying “use it or lose it” also applies to cats, so here are some simple tips for keeping your feline mentally fit well into her golden years.

Helping Your Cat Stay Mentally Spry

1. Train the Brain Early. To slow the progression of aging in the brain, make sure your cat is
physically active and mentally engaged throughout her life — starting when she's a kitten.

2. Play Daily. Cats thrive on routine, and building play into everyday life increases the chances that she’ll stay active in later years. Homemade
cat toys like wads of paper, socks stuffed with catnip and ribbons that you can drag on the floor cost little but bring huge rewards.

3. Keep Her Physique in Check. Overweight cats avoid physical exertion and prefer sleep and lap time to brainteasers. To encourage exercise and problem solving, place food bowls at the top of stairs or cat trees.

10. Make Treasure Hunts Out of Meals. Hide saucers full of small amounts of food all over the house — and place them at different levels, so your cat must seek out the morsels.

Once
cats reach their senior years, their companionship becomes even more precious. If you pay attention to your kitty's mental health, you'll keep her connected with life — and you — as long as possible.

Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including Complete Care for Your Aging Cat
. Shojai also appears on Animal Planet's "Cats 101
" and "
Dogs 101
," as well as writes for puppies.About.com
and cats.About.com
. She lives in Texas with a senior citizen Siamese and a smart-aleck German Shepherd.